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MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20160602 TOWN OF AURORA ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Irene Clement, Larry Fedec, Melville James, Nancee Webb, Kristina Zeromskiene Member(s) Absent: Councillor Mrakas (Chair), Councillor Paul Pirri (Vice Chair), Danielle Howell, Sara Varty Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives, Justin Leung, Committee of Adjustment Secretary- Treasurer, Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary The Council/Committee Secretary called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene THAT Irene Clement be appointed as Chair for the meeting. CARRIED 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Melville James THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved. CARRIED Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 2, 2016 Page 2 of 4 3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2016 Moved by Larry Fedec Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 7, 2016, be received for information. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS (a) Barry Bridgeford, Resident Re: Need for Invasive Plant Species Management Policy and Control Program The Committee consented on a two-thirds vote that the requirements of section 3.8(c) of the Procedural By-law be waived to permit the delegation additional time as required. Mr. Bridgeford expressed his concerns regarding the impact of invasive plant species in a number of the Town’s wooded, forested, and natural areas, and requested that a “Forest Advisory Team” be organized and operational no later than January 2017 to provide input on environmental, forestry, and trail issues. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Melville James THAT the delegation by Barry Bridgeford be received for information. CARRIED 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) Update Staff invited the Committee to consider items that could be added to the CEAP and submit their suggestions by email to the Program Manager by mid-July for review at the September meeting. Moved by Melville James Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 2, 2016 Page 3 of 4 THAT the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) Update be received; and THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee provide comment to be considered by staff in the preparation of the CEAP update. CARRIED 2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Community Earth Week Fair 2016 and 2017 The Committee noted that the recent Community Earth Week Fair 2016 was a success with more than 600 visitors. The Committee discussed various aspects and potential for a Community Earth Week Fair in 2017. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene THAT the memorandum regarding Community Earth Week Fair 2016 and 2017 be received; and THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: THAT a Community Earth Week Fair 2017 be endorsed; and THAT Council provide input to the objectives of a Community Earth Week Fair 2017; and THAT a multi-department team of Town staff be made available to participate in a Working Group in support of a Community Earth Week Fair 2017. CARRIED AS AMENDED 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 3. Extract from Council Meeting of May 10, 2016 Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2016 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Larry Fedec THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of May 10, 2016, regarding the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 7, 2016, be received for information. CARRIED Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 2, 2016 Page 4 of 4 7. NEW BUSINESS The Committee suggested considering ways in which residents could be encouraged to stop using plastic water bottles. Staff noted that this issue has been included on the CEAP update list. The Committee commented on the need for a central communication network to facilitate the dissemination of environmental information in the Town. The Committee advised that two new acts had recently been passed in Ontario: Bill 172, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, 2016; and Bill 151, Waste-Free Ontario Act, 2016. The Committee noted that used textiles may be donated at a fundraising event for Free the Children on Saturday, June 25, 2016, to be held in the parking lot at Town Hall. It was further noted that Value Village in Newmarket also accepts used textiles and clothing. The Committee suggested that residents should be encouraged to recycle plastic plant pots by including relevant information in Aurora’s Waste Management Guide and Recycling Calendar for 2017. The Committee suggested that recyclables should be separated from garbage during Aurora’s next Annual Clean-up Day by offering participants two different bags. Staff advised that a Regional Environmental Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Trisan Centre in Schomberg. Staff advised that they would be using digital agendas only in future. Committee members were invited to advise staff if they no longer wish to receive paper copies. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Melville James THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:25 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.